An Exhausted Family Gets Jo's Help on the Next Episode of Supernanny  12/19/05

AN EXHAUSTED FAMILY OF FIVE NEEDS JO'S HELP, ON "SUPERNANNY," FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23 ON ABC

"Webb Family" -- Arthur and Cathy Webb are a dual-career couple who are juggling the demands of work, children and, most of all, sleep. Cathy works full-time as a human resources manager, and Arthur is a management consultant whose job requires that he travel every week from Sunday night to Friday night. They have three children - Josef, 6, Paige, 5 -- who has Down Syndrome -- and Madison, 2-1/2. With Dad away all week, Mom is left to handle the three children alone. She has no structure to the evenings, rarely eats with the kids, and finds each night draining. Josef plays video games 'round the clock alone in his room. Mom feels so guilty about leaving daughter Madison with a babysitter during the day that she allows the toddler to cling to her constantly. She cooks and cleans with one hand, holding Madison the entire time. Because of Paige's Down Syndrome, Josef refuses to play with her and calls her names. Bedtime is a joke. Often, Mom falls asleep before the kids, around midnight, and the kids all sleep in Mom's bed. Dad spends the entire weekend either sleeping or running nonstop errands, considering the latter his "family time." Mom is at her wits' end and wants Supernanny's help. Can Jo reinvigorate the Webbs and give this family some structure? "Supernanny" airs FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on ABC. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 9/23/05)

Hailed by the New York Times as "fascinating" and "required viewing;" praised by Oprah Winfrey, David Letterman and Kelly Ripa; acclaimed by such publications as Newsweek, Hollywood Reporter and The New Yorker; and lauded by parents and nannies across America, "Supernanny" is a hit. Jo Frost, as Supernanny, can tame the wildest toddler, soothe the savage six-year-old and get the most difficult child to overcome problems with behavior, sleep, mealtime, potty training and other challenges that have vexed parents around the world for centuries. After just three episodes of the show aired in the U.K. in summer 2004, Jo Frost became Britain's hottest new TV star and godsend to desperate parents who were dazzled by her amazing results with misbehaving children. She debuted in America in early 2005 and captivated Americans as well with her practical, no-nonsense style, honed over 16 years of nannying. "Supernanny" is now an international phenomenon; it airs in 47 countries, almost all of them with Frost as Supernanny. Her book, Supernanny: How to Get the Best from Your Children, was a No. 1 New York Times bestseller.

On the show, Jo observes how the parents handle their day-to-day obstacles with their children. Once she's assessed the pitfalls, she works with the parents, instilling her tried-and-true methods for transforming unwanted behavior. Then, after demonstrating just how well the new style will work and getting unbelievable results from the children, the parents must fly solo with the Supernanny techniques. For several days they try to implement Jo's suggestions, and she revisits them at the end of the program to help keep them on track for the future. When parents witness Jo's results and -- even better -- achieve them on their own, they are truly believers in the Supernanny way. Best of all, children and adults alike can enjoy the lasting benefits of a more harmonious family life.

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Craig Armstrong is executive producer of the American version. "Supernanny" is produced by Ricochet, Ltd. "Supernanny" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.